Analysis and Prevention of Microplastics Pollution in Water: Current Perspectives and Future Directions

Abstract

The analysis, prevention, and removal of microplastics (MPs) pollution in water is identified as one major problem the world is currently facing. MPs can be directly released to water or formed by the degradation of bigger plastics. Nowadays, it is estimated that annually between 4 and 12 million tonnes of plastic go into the seas and oceans—with a forecast for them to outweigh the amount of fish in 2050. Based on the existing studies, the characterization of MPs in waters is still one of the remaining challenges because they can be easily confused with organic or other types of matter. Consequently, there is an urgent necessity to establish pathways for the chemical identification of the MP nature. In this perspective, the recent techniques and instrumentation for MP characterization (Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies and microscopies, pyrolysis and thermal desorption gas chromatography, imaging techniques, etc.) are discussed including considerations to the multidimensionality of the problem. This perspective also summarizes and provides updated data on the sources and occurrence, transport and fate of MPs in aquatic ecosystems, as well as influencing conditions and factors affecting dispersal. Additionally, how engineering and biotechnological tools, such as advanced water treatments, would help to control, reduce, or even eliminate MP pollution in the near future is outlined.

Increased plastic pollution due to COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and recommendations

“…Enormous amounts of plastic waste (including medical waste) are being generated at a global scale, with the majority being landfilled or incinerated (which are less favourable with higher negative environmental impacts) and minor fraction being recycled. This will aggravate current estimations (4-12-million tonnes/year of plastics go into the seas and oceans) [108]. Plastic waste will not be the only that need to be addressed when health-related issues are overcome, but all the consequences (indirect effects) that will arise from our shift in priorities without thinking in a long-run.…”

Microplastics in Wastewater

“…Proper legislation and education programs could be the best strategies to control MPs at source. In addition, remediation and cleanup of already existing MPs in the aquatic systems are too expensive and required intensive labors (Pico and Barceló 2019). Unlike personal care products or single-use plastics, the release of fibers from the use and washing of synthetic clothes is unavoidable.…”

“…Efforts are needed to minimize the use and trade of single-use plastics with more focus on plastic straws and plastic bags which is a potential source of secondary MPs (Pico and Barceló 2019). European Union has recently taken measures and formulated strategies for plastic management.…”

“…The direct way to reduce MPs from WWTPs is to employ advanced technologies, such as membrane filtration, MBR, dissolved air flotation, and electrodeposition. Various researchers assessed the efficiency of conventional and innovative treatment design to remove MPs (Pico and Barceló 2019). These studies found that a high amount of MPs (90-98%) were removed in conventional WWTPs (Lares et al 2018).…”

“…However, despite a relatively high removal efficiency in WWTPs, a substantial amount of MPs is still discharged to the environment when considering the huge volume of daily discharge (Talvitie et al 2017b). MBR is a combination of biological treatment and membrane, as the substitute of sedimentation, which is one of the most promising technologies (Pico and Barceló 2019). Compared to other technologies, the efficiency of MBR for MPs removal is high (Talvitie et al 2017a).…”